Body found in Echo Park Lake [4:30 p.m. update]

ECHO PARK — The body of a woman was found floating in Echo Park Lake this morning, according to police. There were no signs of foul play involved but an investigation continues, said Lt. Orlando Chandler with the LAPD Rampart Division. The woman was believed to be between 40 to 50 years of age, he said.

Several police officers were gathered near the woman’s body on the southeastern side of the lake in the 600 block of Echo Park Avenue, said one resident. Police had gone door-to-door asking if residents had any information, said one man.

* Update @ 4:30 p.m. The woman, believed to be 55 years of age, was on crutches and had a cast on one leg when her body was found, said Lt. Wes Buhrmester with the Rampart Division.

“By the looks of the scene, she may have fallen into the water, and been unable to get out,” said Buhrmester in a comment to this post. “There were no signs of foul play, or trauma consistent with blunt force or an assault. The coroner’s investigator estimated she had been in the water eight to ten hours. An autopsy will be conducted to determine a more precise cause of death and classification.”